ARS | Publication request: HEALTH AND DIETARY STATUS OF 55 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER CAUCASIAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES.

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2005
Publication Date: April 1, 2005
Citation: Bowman, S.A. 2005. Health and dietary status of 55 years of age or older Caucasian and African American males.[abstract]. 29th National Nutrient Databank Conference. p. 2.

Technical Abstract: The life expectancy has increased in the U.S. Eating a healthful diet, as people age, reduces the likelihood of having diet-related health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, and increases the quality of life. The aim of the study was to find out whether differences existed in dietary intakes and health conditions of Caucasian and African American males who were 55 years of age or older. The study included 1,597 Caucasian and 197 African American males in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals. The socio-economic characteristics and health status were analyzed. Their nutrient and food intakes were compared using regression analyses controlling for age, income, urbanization, and region. Survey design effects were used in the analyses. The a=0.05 level of significance was chosen for all analyses. A high percent (26%) of African Americans were from households with income less than 131% poverty, as compared with only 9 percent of Caucasians. Also, a very high percent (69% vs. 21%) of them lived in central cities. Although the African American males consumed 193 kilocalories less energy than Caucasians, they consumed more total fat and less dietary fiber, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium per 1,000 kilocalories of energy intake. Also, they ate 58 grams less vegetables and drank 55 grams less milk than Caucasians. A significantly higher percentage of African Americans than Caucasians were obese (25.7% vs. 16.1%), were current smokers (28% vs. 16%), had diabetes (24% vs. 13%) or hypertension (62% vs. 39%). About 25 percent in each group had heart disease and 13 percent had cancer. Certain types of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension are associated with obesity and with eating high fat foods. The study showed a higher prevalence of such diet-related health conditions among persons who were obese and who consumed a diet high in fat-density.